By the time dinner was over, it was nearly 6:47.
Xinhai cleared away the dishes, returned every pot and utensil to its proper place, and wiped the kitchen counters until they gleamed.
After drying his hands, he went to the living room, picked up the remote, and turned on the TV.
A commercial was playing on the screen, one for Pokémon food. A Pichu hugged a Pokéblock as it ate, its mouth stuffed full. The scene was warm and adorable.
"Eevee!" Eevee sat on the coffee table, her large brown eyes fixed unblinkingly on the screen as her fluffy tail swayed lightly behind her.
Charmander and Axew had also leaned over the sofa armrest, their little heads pressed together, their eyes full of anticipation.
The other partners had all found their own spots as well—some lay on the carpet, while others leaned against the couch, all looking toward the television.
Very soon, the familiar opening theme began.
Rhythmic electronic music filled the living room, the dense drumbeats like a torrential downpour as the images switched rapidly in time with the music.
—Mechanical beasts battled one another in all kinds of environments, combat robots transformed amid battle, and characters from Xinhai's memories appeared one after another.
Xinhai leaned back against the sofa, the corners of his mouth rising without his realizing it.
He knew this melody too well. Notes that had lain dormant in his memories for more than a decade had now been awakened, exploding beside his ears like echoes crossing time and space.
The visuals were far more refined than he remembered—the metallic texture of the mechanical beasts looked more realistic, and the light and shadow effects of their skills were more delicate.
"Eevee..." Eevee's little mouth fell slightly open, captivated by the opening theme.
The flame on Charmander's